The NHS was 72 years-old yesterday. It had been suggested that after clapping for key workers, neighbours should raise a glass or mug to toast them and each other. Not in any street anyway, with a torrential downpour at the appropriate moment! We want to express our thanks and support for NHS staff, social care […]

Where shall we go today, with our new-found freedom? Weather, public transport, age, mobility, availability of ‘facilities’ may all have an impact on our answer, but we have the freedom to travel (almost) anywhere. The restrictions of the last few months reminded us of a freedom we usually take for granted. For reasons of health

We can travel more than 5 miles today ‘for leisure’! So it rains. Can we read into it a hint that we don’t go mad with our new-found freedom, overwhelm beauty spots, and leave a trail of litter around the countryside? Lord, we appreciate the ability to travel further from today. Hopefully it will help

Waiting, wondering. Will The First Minister announce an easing of the physical distancing rules today (some businesses would like it, it might make it easier to accommodate children in school classes, but some people will be very worried if it happens)? Will the number of infections in Scotland dip to nil soon, or will there

Ask most people how they are feeling, how they are coping, and the answer is likely to be some variant on ‘weary’. We want to be able to meet up with friends and family, go places, do things that we would have done before, or particularly at this time of the year. We want life

Leicester was a bit like a blast of cold air on a hot day. Restrictions re-imposed, ‘non-essential’ (that phrase again!) shops to close, schools to close etc, and be reviewed in two weeks. Leicester may not be in Scotland, the situation there may be different from here, but it is a reminder of what could

We will see various changes this week designed to ease lockdown restrictions: a number of shops will be re-opening today (who thought up the term ‘non-essential’? It is very disparaging to staff and owners who work hard to meet the needs of the wider public) and on Friday the five-mile travel restriction will be lifted.

Today is Armed Forces Day, when the country is encouraged to think about, and show its appreciation for, our Armed Forces. Usually there will be events around the country to mark it, and Dumbarton hosts it for West Dunbartonshire Council from time to time. No events this year because of the virus, but still an